Preview: South Florida at Central Florida

January 02, 2013|Reuters

A banged up South Florida squad looks to avenge its season opening loss to Central Florida as the in-state rivals meet in Orlando on Wednesday. The Bulls have won three straight and eight of ten since falling 74-56 at home to the Knights in the season opener. Shaun Noriega (foot) and Javontae Hawkins (back) are out for South Florida, but neither sophomore point guard Anthony Collins (neck) nor junior forward Victor Rudd (concussion) has been ruled out for the rematch. The Knights have won six of their last seven, including a 66-63 decision over Belmont last time out in the UCF Holiday Tournament title game.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (8-3): The Bulls lost Collins to a scary neck injury in the win over George Mason, but Collins avoided serious injury. The sophomore ranks second in the Big East (behind Syracuse's Michael Carter-Williams) and sixth in the nation, averaging 7.6 assists. If Collins can't go, Martino Brock will move over from shooting guard to run the offense. Toarlyn Fitzpatrick leads the Bulls at 11.8 points, while Rudd adds 11.1 and Jawanza Poland pitches in 10.5.

ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (9-3): Keith Clanton scored 26 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the win over Belmont to continue his impressive season for the Knights. Clanton averages 17 points and 9.6 boards, both team highs and among Conference USA leaders. Isaiah Sykes adds 14.8 points and leads Central Florida with 60 assists. In the season-opening win over the Bulls, Sykes had 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Knights, who also got 16 points from Clanton and 14 from junior forward Tristan Spurlock.

TIP-INS

1. South Florida leads the all-time series against Central Florida 19-7, but the Knights are winners of three straight against the Bulls.

2. The Bulls' 61 points over George Mason was their lowest output in a victory this season.

3. Clanton's six double-doubles lead Conference USA and rank sixth in the nation.